Harwich Conservation Trust Gets $54,000 State Grant
by William F. Galvin

            HARWICH – The Harwich Conservation Trust got a helping hand this week in its effort to purchase 9.4 acres along Coy’s Brook with the announcement of a $54,000 Conservation Partnership Grant from the commonwealth.

“It’s a significant piece of the fundraising puzzle,” Michael Lach, Executive Director of the HCT said on Tuesday.

The parcel was “pre-acquired” by the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, which is holding onto the land for the HCT, Lach said. The Compact made the purchase to allow HCT to meet the timing requirements for the state grant.

The $54,000 grant will provide the necessary funds to make the purchase of the land to the southeast side of Great Western Road and Lothrop Avenue. The property belonged to John Pina and it was sold for $100,000. It connects to 57 acres of town conservation land and another eight acres on Great Western Road donated to HCT in 2000 by Mary Hawkes.

This year’s projects include properties that enlarge or connect to other conservation land, increasing opportunity for hiking and other passive recreation, and are near wetlands or contain prime agricultural soils or important wildlife habitat, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles said.

“These grants are vital to realizing Gov. Patrick’s commitment to land conservation,” Bowles said. “Our conservation partners recognized today are key players in the effort to protect our commonwealth’s precious natural resources.”

Lach said Pina worked cooperatively with the trust to facilitate this purchase. The HCT executive director also cited the community support for this project as demonstrated by 175 donation ranging from $10 to $2,500. The trust is continuing its effort to raise another $15,000 to pay for the land survey and for stewardship of the property.

The land survey has already benefited the trust in that it ascertained what was thought to be a seven-acre parcel, actually encompasses 9.4 acres and serves as a connector to the Herring River Watershed, Lach said.

The predominantly pine and oak woodland is dotted with patches of starflower and Indian pipes and includes a valley that slopes into wetlands bordering Coy’s Brook, Lach said.

“We have a history of preserving land to protect the water quality of Coy’s Brook and Herring River,” the trust’s executive director said.

“On Cape Cod and the Island, our land is one of our greatest assets,” Cape and Island Senator Rob O’Leary, D- Cummaquid, said. “This investment by the commonwealth will allow for the future protection of resources, increase access to our beautiful scenery and allow towns to preserve our fragile habitat for generations to come.”

Lach said donations can be made to the non-profit at the trust’s website.

11/26/09